Late recovery from acquired sociopathy in a boy with a left frontopolar injury.
Cortex
; 177: 100-112, 2024 Aug.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38843567
ABSTRACT
The long-term outcome of acquired sociopathy with preservation of cognition is still unknown. Here, we present the long-term outcome of a severe antisocial change in personality that followed a traumatic left frontopolar injury in a previously gentle, loving, and introverted adolescent. Nine years after the accident, antisocial behaviors gradually became sporadic, while, at the same time, the patient's sense of responsibility and care for his family increased. He became more extroverted and assertive, yet flexible enough to deal with the hardships of his poor socioeconomic background. His "new personality" was, in fact, more adjusted than ever. We argue that his late recovery reflected a conjunction of factors, especially (i) his early age, (ii) the static nature of the injury, (iii) the preservation of the ventromedial frontal cortices and related basal forebrain regions, and (iv) an unusual asymmetric representation of social cognition in the cerebral hemispheres. Our case and the case of Franz Binz indicate that social recovery is possible after gross prefrontal injuries, even when they are no longer expected to occur. It also emphasizes the importance of reporting on the long-term follow-up of brain-injured patients.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Transtorno da Personalidade Antissocial
Limite:
Adolescent
/
Humans
/
Male
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article